What is Cauda equina syndrome (lumbosacral stenosis )?
Cauda equina syndrome is a term used to describe arthritis of the joints between the lumbar vertebrae and the sacrum latest. (Sacrum is one of the hip bone.) In Cauda equina syndrome affected dogs, the channel through which the spinal cord and nerves pass will narrow than usual, and also common for abnormal intervertebralis disc as well, which makes even more narrow channel. Nerves from the spinal cord are experiencing intense pressure, which causes nerve damage in dogs.
Cauda equina syndrome is known by various names, including lumbosakral stenosis, lumbar spinal stenosis, nerve root compression lumbosakral, lumbosakral instability, malarticulation lumbosakral, spondylolisthesis lumbosakral, and malformations lumbosakral.
Large dog Breeds, including the German Shepherd dog, are more vulnerable to
Cauda equina syndrome compared with small and medium sized dogs.
Cauda equina syndrome can be congenital (present from birth) or acquired. In both situations, symptoms rarely occur in young dogs from 3-7 years.
Symptoms of Cauda equina syndrome in dogs
Pain is the most common symptoms of Cauda equina syndrome in dogs, especially in the back, tail, and in one or both hind legs. Your dog may have problems again after a break up, but rarely will show signs of stiffness after it's up and running. A common but dragging gait and some dogs will blister their feet.
In some dogs, the pain will make it difficult to urinate, while other dogs with Cauda equina syndrome be make water. Loss of muscle can occur in one or both of the dog's hind legs.
Some Cauda equina syndrome dog will no longer move the tail, or showing signs of serious illness every time they move the tail. Cauda equina syndrome can make a dog chew his tail, back legs and hip area, and this can lead to weight hurt themselves.
Pretty much Cauda equina syndrome symptoms in dogs are easily confused with hip dysplasia and you should let a qualified veterinarian determine a proper diagnosis.
Cauda equina syndrome treatment for dogs
The treatments Cauda equina syndrome is right for your dog will depend on how serious the problem is, how much pain your dog, your dog's general health status, and how much time and money you can afford the expenses. Cauda equina syndrome can be cured by medicine and surgery.
Medical treatment of Cauda equina syndrome in dogs
In dogs suffering from mild Cauda equina syndrome, anti-inflammatory such as prednisone may be given to relieve symptoms. Medical treatment should normally be combined with strict rest for at least 6-8 weeks, which means that you should spend a lot of time to treat your dog. In many cases, the symptoms but will return as soon as the dog to become active again.
Surgical treatment of Cauda equina syndrome in dogs
Currently, there are two different surgical treatments available for dogs with Cauda equina syndrome. The first technique involves removing part of the bone and disc intervertebralis to reduce pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. Another option is to unite the bones together, while intended to make senormal position possible. This will further reduce the risk of arthritis by preventing abnormal motion between the bones.
If your dog undergo surgery to treat her kauda equina syndrome, it should remain limited for 2-4 weeks post-operation. Veterinarian may recommend prednisone to reduce inflammation. If your dog can not urinate, the bladder should be emptied manually several times per day.
Prognosis is not good for dogs who can not urinate or urinate before they receive treatment, as this is a sign of severe kauda syndrome and long gone. In mild cases of Cauda syndrome, the prognosis is quite good if the dog receives proper care.
